Testimony ends, but no ruling in cop's lawsuit

Published: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:15 p.m.

NEW ORLEANS — Lawyers are scheduled to give closing arguments Monday in a lawsuit filed against Terrebonne Parish government by a Houma Police officer seeking damages for alleged privacy and civil rights violations.

Lt. Darryl Cunningham filed suit a year ago against the parish government, detective Travis Theriot and interim Police Chief Todd Duplantis, alleging his personal cell phone records were illegally obtained by Theriot during an internal investigation and that he was harassed and faced retaliation for contacting The Courier about a Civil Service Board matter.

Testimony in the case, which was tried in federal court in New Orleans, concluded Wednesday. The defense presented four Houma Police employees who testified about a pair of investigations initiated against Cunningham for opening a letter addressed to Donna Wedgeworth, Duplantis' secretary, and contacting the newspaper about whether a notice was posted for a vacancy on the Houma Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board. U.S. Eastern District Judge Ivan Lemelle could issue a ruling following closing arguments Monday, though he could also decide the case at a later date.

<p>NEW ORLEANS — Lawyers are scheduled to give closing arguments Monday in a lawsuit filed against Terrebonne Parish government by a Houma Police officer seeking damages for alleged privacy and civil rights violations. </p><p>Lt. Darryl Cunningham filed suit a year ago against the parish government, detective Travis Theriot and interim Police Chief Todd Duplantis, alleging his personal cell phone records were illegally obtained by Theriot during an internal investigation and that he was harassed and faced retaliation for contacting The Courier about a Civil Service Board matter.</p><p>Testimony in the case, which was tried in federal court in New Orleans, concluded Wednesday. The defense presented four Houma Police employees who testified about a pair of investigations initiated against Cunningham for opening a letter addressed to Donna Wedgeworth, Duplantis' secretary, and contacting the newspaper about whether a notice was posted for a vacancy on the Houma Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board. U.S. Eastern District Judge Ivan Lemelle could issue a ruling following closing arguments Monday, though he could also decide the case at a later date.</p>